Why Do Seals Look Like Dogs? This Is The Reason Why!
Contents
Seals are often compared to dogs. People call them "sea puppies" or "dogs of the sea" because of their round heads, big eyes and whiskers. So why do seals look like dogs?
Why do seals look like dogs? Seals and dogs both belong to Caniformia, the "doglike" group within the order Carnivora. They share a distant common ancestor, which explains some of the resemblance, but seals are not in the dog family.
Below we look at how seals and dogs are related, how they are alike, and whether seals make friendly companions.
Are Seals Related To Dogs?
Yes, but only distantly. Dogs and seals are both caniforms within the order Carnivora, a group that also includes bears, raccoons and weasels.
Seals, sea lions and walruses together are called pinnipeds. They branched off from the rest of the caniforms tens of millions of years ago, so they are not close dog relatives.
Online videos of seals and dogs meeting on beaches are popular, like the one below. They're fun to watch, but they don't show any special bond between the species.
People that claim that seals are dog mermaids, water puppies, or dogs of the sea are not wrong, but they are also not that right.
4 Similarities Of Seals And Dogs
Here are some of the ways seals and dogs are alike.
Loud Bark
Some pinnipeds really do bark. NOAA Fisheries describes California sea lions as "very vocal (sounding like barking dogs)".
Sea lions are not true seals, though. True seals, such as harbor seals, have no external ear flaps and can't walk on their flippers the way sea lions do.
Furry Faces
Both dogs and seals have fur and whiskers. Their whiskers are sensitive touch organs that help them sense their surroundings.
Seals use their whiskers to detect movement in the water while they hunt.
Both Seals And Dogs Are Social Animals
Dogs are social animals that bond closely with people and often with other dogs.
Many pinnipeds are social too. NOAA says California sea lions are "very social on land and in the water," and many seals rest together in groups on beaches and ice.
Seals And Dogs Are Both Smart
Seals and sea lions are curious and can learn tasks in captivity, much like dogs learn tricks.
Do Seals Like To Be Petted Like Dogs?
Wild seals should never be petted. NOAA advises people not to touch, feed or try to interact with seals in the wild.
Seals are wild animals, not domesticated ones. Even seals in aquariums are handled only by trained staff.
A frightened seal can bite. If you see a seal on a beach, leave it alone, even if it seems friendly or a pup appears to be alone. The mother is often nearby.
NOAA's rule of thumb is to stay at least 50 yards from seals and sea lions, and to keep dogs at that distance too. Some regions recommend more.
If you want to see seals up close, visit an accredited zoo or aquarium, or watch wild seals from a distance.
Are Seals Friendly?
Seals can be curious, but they are wild animals that may bite if they feel threatened. Mothers with pups can be especially defensive.
Enjoy them from a distance. If a seal stares at you, fidgets or moves away, you are too close.
Final Thoughts
Seals look like dogs because both are caniform carnivores with a shared ancient ancestor. They are only distantly related, but the resemblance is why people call seals "dogs of the sea."
Source: inverse.com, en.wikipedia.org, barkpost.com
Sources
- California Sea Lion, NOAA Fisheries
- Harbor Seal, NOAA Fisheries
- Marine Life Viewing Guidelines: Guidelines and Distances, NOAA Fisheries
